Free tote and body lotion with purchase at Bath & Body Works on Saturday

> Posted by Doreen Christensen on April 30, 2011 08:03 AM

Get a free tote and full-sized Into the Wild body lotion valued at $10.50 with any Signature Collection purchase at Bath and Body Works from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Keep the tote for yourself or drop in a few more products to make a great Mother's Day gift.

When you buy three Signature products you'll get two free (or buy two and get one free). Also, Slakin 4-ounce candles are on sale for 2 for $10. Plus there are adorable $1 gift bags with tissue paper to that make putting cute gifts together a snap.

April 29, 2011

Free slice of Royal Wedding cake at 2 p.m. at Town Center in Boca Raton

> Posted by Doreen Christensen on April 29, 2011 09:19 AM

Let them eat free Royal Wedding cake in Boca Raton!

Passion for Pastry at Town Center in Boca Raton has created a towering, five-foot-tall Royal Wedding cake fit for a king to celebrate the marriage of William and Kate and will be serving complimentary slices from 2-4 p.m. in front of Bloomingdale's.

The regal confection, created by executive pastry chef Alethea Hickman, is filled with chocolate mousse and adorned in white and gold, accented with English roses.

The cake will go on display at 1 p.m.

Town Center is located at 6000 Glades Road in Boca Raton. For more information all the bakery at 561-451-2656.

Click here to see other Royal Wedding food and events on our dining blog, Sup: Eating around South Florida.

Photo courtesy Passion for Pastry.

Three ways to keep up with the latest deals: "Like" our Sentinel Deals page on Facebook; follow Doreen Christensen on Twitter@PrettyGoodIdeas and get mobile alerts: Text DEALS to 23539.

April 28, 2011

Free download of The Royal Wedding Official Programme and Order of Service

> Posted by Doreen Christensen on April 28, 2011 03:16 PM

Download a free copy of The Royal Wedding Official Programme and Order of Service that was used by William and Kate and the 1,900 invited guests at Westminster Abbey on Friday.

The 28-page Programme, which features Prince William’s Coat of Arms on the front and Catherine Middleton’s new Coat of Arms on the back, contains full details about the processions, music, hymns, prayers and readings that guests used during the ceremony in London on Friday. It also contains pictures of the Royal Couple, maps, timetables and historical information about the abbey.

About 150,000 printed copies were sold on the streets of London on Friday for £2 in Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park, St. James’s Park and Green Park., with proceeds to benefit The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry.

Click here for the deal. The download is available in three formats: PDF, Adobe and through Apple iBooks.

Three ways to keep up with the latest deals: "Like" our Sentinel Deals page on Facebook; follow Doreen Christensen on Twitter@PrettyGoodIdeas and get mobile alerts: Text DEALS to 23539.

What to get for Mom? Try Macy's 25 percent off sale

> Posted by Marcia Pounds on April 28, 2011 03:02 PM

Mother's Day is May 8, and that's just around the corner (one shopping weekend if Mom is out of state.) Macy's has some gift ideas for that perfect Mother's Day gift, plus get 25 percent off this weekend (through May 2) online and in stores through the store's "friends and family" program.

Click here for the savings pass (hit "print" on the right side): Macy's coupon

Unless you know she wants it, I would steer away from any gift that is kitchen or house related. Mom doesn't ask for much, so get something to make her feel special or pretty for her big day.
Here are some affordable ideas from Macy's: This Jones New York chemise is on sale for $25, matching robe, $35. This pearl set is on sale for $53. Too much? You can buy just the pearl bracelet for only $25.

Bonus:Click here for a Baskin-Robbins coupon for buy one cone, get one free through Facebook.com. The coupon expires on May 15. Like the page and then scroll down to the April 17 post and click the image to print the coupon.

Three ways to keep up with the latest deals: "Like" our Sentinel Deals page on Facebook; follow Doreen Christensen on Twitter@PrettyGoodIdeas and get mobile alerts: Text DEALS to 23539.

Free $35 Spring Beauty Bag with purchase at Ulta.com until 3 p.m.

> Posted by Doreen Christensen on April 27, 2011 11:27 AM

Make a $25 purchase at Ulta.com and get a free "Spring Forward Beauty Bag" filled with 12 samples valued at $35. Plus, you can get free shipping on your purchase. This "lunchtime special" only is good until 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 27.

Now's as good a time as any to stock up on spring and summer beauty essentials for or to buy that Mother's Day gift!

April 26, 2011

Free Gillette Fusion ProGilde razors through Facebook

> Posted by Doreen Christensen on April 26, 2011 01:24 PM

Gillette is giving away free Fusion ProGlide razors through Facebook.

Visit the fan page, click on the "Take The Challenge" tab and register to score your freebie. If you don't get one today, try again tomorrow. They are giving away free razors every business day through May 4.

April 23, 2011

Napoleon Perdis helps moms look good with Mother's Day Gift Set

> Posted by Doreen Christensen on April 23, 2011 08:15 AM

On the hunt for a great gift for Mother's Day that won't break the bank?

Consider giving her a Napoleon Perdis Mother's Day Gift Set available at Dillard's. The $49 limited-edition collection has everything frazzled soccer moms need to look their best year-round.

The set features NP's silky, shimmering Prismatic Eye Shadow Quad in four flattering shades of pink, toupe and purple, a Nickie's Rose Blush, a Luminous Lip Veil in Scarlet Fever or Tangerine Slice and a chic little coin purse all tied up in a gorgeous gift box with ribbons. The set even comes with a Mother's Day card!

NP's eye shadows glide on like a dream and can be applied wet or dry. The liquid lipstick has nonstop shine.
The Australian-born Perdis, known as the "Thunder From Down Under" knows hard-working moms don't have a lot of time to burn to look good. Here offers this advice:

"Always use a serum in the morning and at night before going to bed," Perdis said. "You’ll notice the difference. Skin will look smoother, brighter and suppler. Following this, you should always use a primer to keep your foundation smoother for longer. Try my Napoleon Complex Skin Renewal Serum."

His other tip is basic but offers dramatic results:

"Grab that mascara! I always say no look is complete without it. One or two coats of mascara will instantly brighten up the eyes and make you look fresher. It’s the wakeup call to your face like a cup of coffee in the morning."

Three ways to keep up with the latest deals: "Like" our Sentinel Deals page on Facebook; follow Doreen Christensen on Twitter@PrettyGoodIdeas and get mobile alerts: Text DEALS to 23539.

Free trees and Earth Day workshops at home improvement centers

> Posted by Doreen Christensen on April 23, 2011 07:01 AM

Lowe's is giving away a million free trees in stores on Saturday, April 23, in honor of Earth Day. Can't get much greener than that!

Click here for the deal. Get there early, because they'll make a like a tree and leave -- fast.

Home Depot is offering three free Earth Day Weekend Workshops for kids and adults on Saturday:

At 9 a.m., kids can make and take an Easter Planter Basket and get a free Kids Workshop Apron, pin and diploma; at 10 a.m. there's a Live Green-Save Green workshop on saving energy; 1 p.m. is an eco-gardening class.

Free iRosary app for iPhone for Easter

> Posted by Doreen Christensen on April 22, 2011 10:27 AM

Get for free the full version of the best-selling "iRosary" app for iPhone as an Easter gift from Opicury Software.

The app shows you how to pray the Rosary and automatically selects from different Mysteries of Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous. Also offered are prayers for the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Loreto Litanies.

There also is an animated set of Rosary beads that you move with your finger to advance to the next prayer.

Today is Good Friday, so the app walks you though the Apostles' Creed.

This is a wonderful high-tech way of saying the traditional Catholic devotion and also a great way to teach the Rosary to children.

> Posted by Doreen Christensen on April 22, 2011 07:30 AM

Earlier this week, we asked you to share an Earth Day tip on how to live greener on our Sentinel Deals fan page on Facebook.com to win a full-sized Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Serum valued at $55.

Well, we're doing it again! We have 10 more to give away, compliments of Origins! (Click here to see how to get your free cleanser today!)

Here's how to win:

Visit our Sentinel Deals fan page, share your green tip by 11:59 on Friday, April 22, and then we'll make a random drawing to see who gets the prizes.

Buy one, get one free on everything at Lane Bryant Outlets

> Posted by Doreen Christensen on April 21, 2011 07:45 AM

Lane Bryant Outlets are having a buy one, get one free sale on EVERYTHING in the store starting today through Monday, April 25. Plus, as a special deal for Shop-O-Matic readers, get $20 off your $100 purchase when you mention the blog!

Visit the stores in Orlando and Sunrise and make your money go twice as far. Mix and match all spring and summer essentials and every second, lesser priced item is free. Plus, get a free professional bra fitting and take $10 off all Cacique bras, too.

Don't forget, mention at the register that you read this on the Shop-O-Matic blog and get $20 off your $100 purchase!

Lane Bryant Outlets are located at Sawgrass Mills in Sunrise and at Orlando Premium Outlets on International Drive.

April 20, 2011

Lowe's giving away free trees on Saturday for Earth Day

> Posted by Doreen Christensen on April 20, 2011 09:15 AM

Lowe's is giving away a million free trees in stores on Saturday, April 23, in honor of Earth Day.

Can't get much greener than that!

Click here for the deal. Get there early, because they'll make a like a tree and leave -- fast.

SHARE AND WIN: Share your tip for living greener on our Facebook fan page and you could win one of 10 full-sized Origins Plantscription Anti-Anging Serums, valued at $55, for free, compliments of Origins!

Three ways to keep up with the latest deals: "Like" our Sentinel Deals page on Facebook; follow Doreen Christensen on Twitter@PrettyGoodIdeas and get mobile alerts: Text DEALS to 23539.

April 17, 2011

> Posted by Doreen Christensen on April 17, 2011 06:57 AM

Share an Earth Day tip on how to live greener on our Sentinel Deals fan page on Facebook.com and you could win a full-sized Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Serum valued at $55. We have 10 to give away compliments of Origins!

Here's how to win:

Visit our Sentinel Deals fan page, click the "Questions" tab, share your green tip by 11:59 on Thursday, April 21, and then we'll make a random drawing to see who gets a prize.

Save even more with Walmart coupons

> Posted by Doreen Christensen on April 16, 2011 08:28 AM

The food prices are great at Walmart, but you can super-size your savings using coupons. Walmart updated and expanded its coupon policy in March. Print it out and bring it with you just in case a question comes up at the register.

Also, be sure to grab a copy of Sunday's Sun Sentinel. It will have more than $1,000 in coupon savings. You can't afford to miss it!

Free entrance to national parks through April 24

> Posted by Doreen Christensen on April 16, 2011 06:45 AM

Get in free at U.S. National Parks in Florida on Saturday, April 16, through Sunday, April 24, as part of the park system's free entrance program celebrating National Park Week. The park service is waiving fees to over 100 parks around the country.

April 14, 2011

Free MyTaxBack app helps you get a tax refund from Uncle Sam

> Posted by Doreen Christensen on April 14, 2011 08:31 AM

The app, available in English and Spanish, helps you easily check to see if you qualify for Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which could be money on your pocket from Uncle Same if you are a low to moderate income working individual or family.

According to the EITH Home page at IRS.gov, the "EITC is intended, in part to offset the burden of social security taxes and to provide an incentive to work. When EITC exceeds the amount of taxes owed, it results in a tax refund to those who claim and qualify for the credit."

Click here for the deal. The Federal Income Tax deadline for filing is midnight, April 18.

Three ways to keep up with the latest deals: "Like" our Sentinel Deals page on Facebook; follow Doreen Christensen on Twitter@PrettyGoodIdeas and get mobile alerts: Text DEALS to 23539.

> Posted by Doreen Christensen on April 13, 2011 02:56 PM

Winn-Dixie's program, introduced in February, 112 grocery stores in South Florida, offers 5-cents off for every $50 in qualified purchases made when you sign up for a the chain's Customer Reward Card.

The grocery chain announced today that it is lifting one-item limit restrictions on the weekly bonus items. Before, you could have saved up to $8 on fuel with purchase of bonus offers that change from week to week. Now, customers can stock up on those items and earn unlimited additional 5-cents off.

“Many of our customers are telling us they are saving 50 to 75 cents per gallon or more by shopping at Winn-Dixie. They will be able to earn more fuelperks! discounts — and faster — with this expansion of our fuelperks! rewards,” said Mary Kellmanson, Winn-Dixie’s group vice president of marketing in the press release.

Linter is co-author of a new book, “The Makeup Wakeup: Revitalizing Your Look at Any Age” (Running Press; $23), which aims to help women older than 40 face their beauty demons. The guide offers tips on everything from sun damage to abused eyebrows.

> Posted by Doreen Christensen on April 12, 2011 06:48 AM

Now, "like" the CVS Beauty Club fan page on Facebook and get a coupon for your choice of a free full-sized Essence of Beauty Antibacterial Collection product valued at $3.99. So now you can score two freebies in one trip!

Like the fan page, enter your ExtraCare card number and e-mail address and the coupon will be sent to you. The offer ends at midnight on Friday, April 15. If you don't have an ExtraCare account, sign up here.

Click here for the deal. The coupon must be redeemed in the store by Monday, April 18.

Three ways to keep up with the latest deals: "Like" our Sentinel Deals page on Facebook; follow Doreen Christensen on Twitter@PrettyGoodIdeas and get mobile alerts: Text DEALS to 23539.

April 10, 2011

Free house paint for Broward, Palm Beach County residents

> Posted by Doreen Christensen on April 10, 2011 07:17 AM

Broward and Palm Beach County residents can get free, high-quality exterior latex house paint through paint recycling programs. Here's how:

BROWARD COUNTY:

Broward residents can get up to 20 gallons of free, reblended exterior latex house paint from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 10, at the Broward County Waste and Recycling Services center in Pompano Beach. Color choices are turquoise, terra cotta, dark grey and beige; the paint comes in 5-gallon containers.

Pick up the paint at 2780 N. Powerline Road in Pompano Beach. Proof of residency is required. Call 954-765-4999 for more information.

If you can't make it Sunday, residents can get free paint year round from more than 22 municipalities. Click here for more information.

PALM BEACH COUNTY:

Palm Beach County residents can get free exterior house paint, too. It's offered to residents of owner-occupied, single-family homes through the Solid Waste Authority Recycled Paint Donation Program. You can select from a variety colors, including beige and blue.

The SWA typically offers free paint for walls and trim for up to a 2,500-square-foot home (more for larger houses), said Joanna Aiken, community-services coordinator. For information, call 866-792-4636 or 561-697-2700 ext. 4701, or 4717 to get an application sent to you.

Walgreen's giving away 1 million Gogo's Crazy Bones on Saturday

> Posted by Doreen Christensen on April 9, 2011 07:17 AM

Gogo's Crazy Bones, which seem to have a Pokemon-type aspirations, are little characters that come in hundreds (hear that Mom?) of colors and designs, each one with a name and special ability. Kids use the toys to play a variety of games, which are based on ancient games played in ancient Greece. The Gogo's characters will be featured in a forthcoming TV show, debuting in May.

April 6, 2011

Get two free bestselling audio books from Audible.com

> Posted by Doreen Christensen on April 6, 2011 08:54 AM

Listen up! Get a two free audio book downloads with a 30-day free trial to Amazon's Audible.com, valued at about $50. Choose from 85,000 titles.

The Amazon-owned site allows you to purchase bestsellling digital audio books for use on iPhone, Android and BlackBerry smart phones, iPods and more than 500 models of MP3 players. The service also offers content from radio shows, newspapers, magazines, podcasts, stand-up comedy and speeches.

Some of the release offered for download: "The Lincoln Lawyer" by Michael Connelly, "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen, Tom Clancy's "Dead or Alive," and "The Help," by Kathryn Stockett.

You can buy the books outright for a set price (bestsellers range $30 and under), or subscribe to a monthly membership plan and buy books with credits. The Gold plan offers an introductory rate of $7.49 a month for one credit and then goes to $14.95 a month thereafter. A 12 credit plan is $149.50. One credit generally buys one book. There also is a Platinum plan.

Click here for the deal. After the 30-day trial, your membership will automatically renew, so if you don't want it, be sure to cancel before the 30 days are up.

Three ways to keep up with the latest deals: "Like" our Sentinel Deals page on Facebook; follow Doreen Christensen on Twitter@PrettyGoodIdeas and get mobile alerts: Text DEALS to 23539.

Last week, the grocery chain offered free food worth nearly $9 with the purchase of Maxwell House coffee with the "Make-a-Meal" offer. In February, Winn-Dixie introduced a new customer reward program called fuelperks!, that offers a discount on Shell gasoline with grocery purchases.

Click here to find a store and see details of the promotion, listed on Page 12 of this week's circular. The deal is good through April 12.

Three ways to keep up with the latest deals: "Like" our Sentinel Deals page on Facebook; follow Doreen Christensen on Twitter@PrettyGoodIdeas and get mobile alerts: Text DEALS to 23539.

April 5, 2011

Behind the scenes with Spike TV's 'Auction Hunters' filming in South Florida

> Posted by Doreen Christensen on April 5, 2011 11:29 AM

In February, I got to spend a morning down in Miami hanging out with Allen Haff and Ton Jones of Spike TV's Auction Hunters, during filming of the second season of the reality show, which debuts tonight at 10 p.m.

The pair make a living bidding on and selling the contents of abandoned storage units that go up for auction. There are 50,000 abandoned storage units in America holding about $1 billion worth of goods, according to the show's press materials. There are loads of people who go to these auctions. On this Thursday morning in Miami, there were about 30 people -- mostly men -- waiting to bid on three rooms.

Haff and Jones get really excited about their finds and enjoy the thrill of the hunt. Over the years, Haff and Jones said they have scored lots of money; stacks of cash in safes, $2,000 in old coins and bills stashed inside of books. "After we discovered that, we check every book now," said Haff. They were giving away the books when they discovered there were bills stashed inside nearly every one of them in the abandoned unit.

What's the weirdest thing they ever found?

"Human remains," says Haff. "Part of our job is 'CSI: Miami.' We do some forensics," Haff said. When they discovered the bones, they immediately called authorities and their storage room turned into a crime scene.

The video above was shot at Extra Storage Space on Coral Way in Miami. The pair won the auction of room #7058 for $350 and it was packed with ladders, paints, tools and construction equipment. They pulled out a circular saw worth about $100, a nail gun, Milwaukee Hammer Drill in the box (this excited Ton quite a bit), a Husky Paint Sprayer, levels, extension cords. There also were clothes and assorted other household and personal items that made you wonder about who once owned them and what happened to him.

As Haff checked inside the drawers of the furniture stored in the back of the unit, he came across a 30 GB iPod, a negative HIV test, a letter from a parole officer, the remnants of a Meth kit and a Alcoholics Anonymous book.

"We find lots of drugs and paraphernalia," Jones said."We're unpacking the sad story of someone's life."

> Posted by Doreen Christensen on April 5, 2011 06:48 AM

Besides the freebie, you can win weekly prizes of a year's worth of free Tide and 10 winners will get a Maytag washer and dryer.

Tide tried to give away 100,000 samples of its laundry additive on March 28, but had massive technical issues within Facebook. The company added another 50,000 freebies and rescheduled the giveaway for April 4.

April 4, 2011

40% off spring wear at Old Navy

> Posted by Marcia Pounds on April 4, 2011 08:32 AM

It's that time of the year when South Florida's weather starts to become humid, and the best thing to wear is cotton. But where does a shopper find clothes that are not polyester or rayon?

Surprisingly, at Old Navy. This weekend, at 40% off, I snagged a cotton skirt and sundress -- both perfect to stay cool at upcoming spring art and music festivals. The sundress, for less than $19, is cotton jersey so it stretches a bit for a nice fit.

I did buy one rayon top because it was too cute to pass up. Ah well, nobody's perfect.

Free compact fluorescent light bulb

> Posted by Doreen Christensen on April 4, 2011 07:03 AM

Earth month freebie, incoming!

Get a free compact fluorescent light bulb from Rodney Strong Vineyards when you take a plede to change at least one light bulb in your office or home to an energy efficient CFL bulb as part of the winery's RSV Green Light campaign.

The bulbs use up 80 percent less engergy to emit the same light as an incandescent bulb, last up to 10 years, save you money on electricity and reduce CO2 emissions, according to the RSV Green Light website.

The bulbs must be disposed of and recycled properly because they contain mercury. Visit Earth911.com to find a recycling center.

April 1, 2011

Score $25 tickets to 'Wicked' in daily lottery at Broward Center

> Posted by Doreen Christensen on April 1, 2011 07:58 AM

If you thought a house would have to fall on you before you could afford to see the Tony-awarding winning musical "Wicked," at the Broward Center, then we've got a deal for you.

Through April 24, Broadway Across America is offering orchestra seats for $25 cash in a ticket lottery. There might be as many as 20 tickets available per performance, depending on how many seats are sold at each show. Some orchestra seats cost $154.

Get the deal by visiting the Broward Center box office 2.5 hours before showtime to put your name in the lottery drum. Winners will be selected 30 minutes later. The limit is two tickets per person, payable in cash only.

Doreen Christensen has never paid full price for anything. If there is a way to save on something, she will find it and share how you can save, too. Doreen is a senior reporter covering consumer news, health, beauty and features for the online and print editions of the Sun Sentinel. A 32-year veteran of the newspaper, she previously was a senior copy editor on the universal copy desk. Doreen spends her time off hunting bargains, clipping coupons, gardening and traveling.

Justine Griffin covers retail and marine business for the Sun Sentinel. She is a Tampa Bay native who graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2010. After spending a year covering crime in St. Augustine, Fla., she moved to Fort Lauderdale and made the switch to business journalism. When she’s not writing, she’s riding horses and spending time with her whippet puppy, Josie.

Marcia Heroux Pounds is the Sun Sentinel's workplace columnist when she's not shopping for shoes. She also writes about small business, which allows her to visit many of South Florida's unique shops and boutiques.